Inspiring Biopics About Unemployment

Description: Set in Sheffield, England, this film follows six unemployed steelworkers who form a male striptease act to make ends meet, highlighting the lengths people go to when facing unemployment.

Fact: The film was a surprise hit, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. The term "The Full Monty" became popular slang for going all out.

Description: After losing a lawsuit, Erin Brockovich, a single mother, finds herself unemployed and desperate. Her tenacity leads her to uncover a major environmental scandal, turning her life around in an unexpected way.

Fact: Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. The real Erin Brockovich made a cameo in the film as a waitress.

Description: This film follows Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son. His relentless pursuit of a better life through an unpaid internship at a brokerage firm is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, making it a quintessential biopic about overcoming unemployment.

Fact: Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, played his on-screen son in the movie. The film's title is intentionally misspelled, reflecting a sign Chris Gardner saw in his childhood.

Description: Jordan Belfort's rise and fall in the stock market world led to many people losing their jobs due to his fraudulent schemes. This biopic captures the excesses and the eventual downfall, highlighting the impact on the workforce.

Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio improvised many of his lines, including the famous "I'm not leaving!" scene. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards.

Description: This film examines the lives of three men who are laid off from their high-paying jobs due to corporate downsizing, exploring their struggles to find new purpose and employment.

Fact: The film was shot in Boston, where the story is set. Ben Affleck, who plays one of the laid-off executives, also co-produced the film.

Description: While not directly about unemployment, this film explores the 2007-2008 financial crisis, which led to widespread job losses. It focuses on the individuals who predicted the crisis, showing the ripple effects of economic downturns on employment.

Fact: The film uses celebrity cameos to explain complex financial concepts, including Margot Robbie in a bubble bath and Anthony Bourdain discussing collateralized debt obligations.

Description: This documentary follows Jackie Siegel, a former beauty queen, and her husband David, as they attempt to build the largest private home in America, only to face financial ruin and unemployment during the 2008 economic crisis.

Fact: The film was originally intended to be a light-hearted look at wealth but evolved into a poignant story of economic hardship. The Siegels' story continued to unfold after the film's release.

Description: While not a traditional biopic, this film captures the essence of unemployment in later life. Ben Whittaker, a retired widower, finds purpose by becoming an intern at a tech startup, showcasing how one can reinvent themselves after job loss.

Fact: Robert De Niro improvised many of his scenes, including the dance sequence. The film was inspired by a real-life program at Google.

Description: Ray Kroc's story of turning McDonald's into a global empire began with him selling milkshake mixers, a job that didn't pan out. His journey from salesman to fast-food mogul is a tale of ambition and the American Dream, but also of job displacement.

Fact: Michael Keaton, who played Ray Kroc, did not eat McDonald's food during the filming to stay in character. The real McDonald's brothers' story was less known until this film.

Description: Ryan Bingham travels the country firing people, but his own job is threatened by a new hire who wants to implement video conference firings. This film delves into the emotional and economic impact of unemployment.

Fact: George Clooney did much of his own flying in the film. The movie was adapted from a novel by Walter Kirn.